W. Taltavull - Obituary

. Warren Taltavull was born at home in Southwest, Washington on September 13, 1920. Warren was the second of five children of W. Warren Taltavull Sr. and Ellen Burke Taltavull. A move from his grandfather’s funeral home to Northwest, Washington where Warren Sr. founded his own funeral home established the young Taltavull family on 14th St. in Northwest, Washington. Warren attended Sacred Heart Elementary School, St. John’s College High School, Catholic University and Benjamin Franklin School of Accounting. Warren’s teen years were shaped by the loss of both his parents. He became the unofficial head of the family and took on the lifelong role as a caretaker. Guardians were appointed for the Taltavull children and the funeral business was run by trustees until Warren was twenty one. At twenty one Warren and his new wife Beulah took over the family business and ran it for 47 years until his retirement in 1988. As newlyweds, Warren and Beulah moved into the family funeral home with Warren’s four siblings, Pete, Ann, Jean and Gabby. As Warren’s siblings began to launch their own adult lives and move on, Warren and Beulah started their family, Warren III, James and Ellen lived at the Funeral Home until the early fifties. The Family moved to the suburbs at that time where Paul and Tom were born. The education of his children was paramount in Warren’s life. Warren was not an overly ambitious man but worked tirelessly to provide a nice life for his family and enough income to educate his children. To that end his life was most successful as all his children acquired college and/or advanced degrees. Warren and Beulah immersed their family into the suburban life. St. Camillus was the center of all social, athletic and spiritual endeavors of the entire family. Warren went to all of his boy’s athletic events and many of the practice sessions. He was an usher at Sunday Mass, a member of the Holy Name Society, Knights of Columbus, Bowling League and Parish Council. He and Beulah attended most social events and dances held at St. Camillus and developed many lifelong friends in the neighborhoods in which they lived. Dad was an astute bridge partner, a fisherman and an excellent cook. When Warren began to talk of retirement in the 80’s everyone wondered how he would occupy his time. Warren resumed a role, honed in his youth, as family caretaker. Until Dad needed care himself he looked after many friends and relatives. He kept in touch with his nieces and nephews who lived out of state. He was indeed a master at reaching out to others. And he always went for the smile or laugh. That was Dad’s reward, to see a person smile or hear a chuckle made his day. Above all else, Dad was a devoted husband. He would do anything for his Beulah and now after four long years he has rejoined her.